You might remember that last fall I christened Apple Pear Cherry Crisp as the Ultimate Fall Dessert. I was the only judge of that contest, so you can take the results for what they’re worth.

With such robust qualifications, I’ve decided to let you know the winner of the Ultimate Summer Dessert title. Actually, I can’t believe I haven’t posted this recipe already, because it’s everything I look for in a dessert. It’s super-easy to make, it’s delicious, and it stars fruit. (Sorry, chocolate lovers. There’ll be a recipe for you next week.)

The photo above isn’t as good as I’d hoped. Ideally, I would have taken a picture right before serving our guests. However, I was running a bit late, and I didn’t think I should be playing Ansel Adams in the kitchen while everyone else hungrily awaited their slice of the Ultimate Summer Dessert.

So after we ate, I put the rest of the cake away until the next day. But by that time someone had helped themselves quite generously to the leftovers. (See also Kentucky Derby Pie). I’ve done the best I could to recreate our dessert. But remember that, except for the dinner parties when we invite Lilliputians, I’d normally serve a slightly larger slice.

Bake until cake is golden and a wooden pick inserted into centre comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a rack and cool to warm, 10 to 15 minutes more. Invert onto a plate.

Ooh, I always love desserts with buttermilk as an ingredient! I am hosting two graduation parties for my daughter. One will be right after the ceremony and another will be a luncheon several days after with her friends. Any ideas for some easy desserts?

Thanks for all your comments. Heather, in addition to this recipe (which would be a simple but tasty dessert), you might try the Orange Chocolate Bundt cake, the chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter frosting, or Marie-Helene's apple cake. They're all in my recipe index at the top of the page, but if you have any specific questions please feel free to be in touch!(One more thought - I've made a raspberry parfait that I hope to post later this month. If you'd like the recipe now, let me know and I'll pass it along.

I like where you're going with this :) I have all the ingredients except the raspberries, but I do have blackberries so I think I will make this either tonight or tomorrow!! I have been craving sweets and I ran out of chocolate, teehee ;-)

Lydia, I'd definitely substitute blackberries since they're so close to raspberries. The epicurious website says you can use any kind of berries, so it sounds like blueberries or strawberries would work too!

Your article is so funny! It totally re-creates the issue of photographing food and hungry family on the prowl! I have even resorted to cooking some things ahead of time just so I can photography (in secret!!) It looks delcious...

This is amazing looking. I have a friend who has a raspberry farm and last summer I picked a TON. It was so inexpensive-- I made a lot of jam and pie. Yum!I always substitute the flour for some combo of whole grains and use raw agave nectar as my sweetener and it turns out so yummy!

Hi Beth~ Just popped back in regarding your zodiac comment to say that Lord Voldemort is a Capricorn because he was born on January 1 (pointed out to me by a fellow blogger who read the books more carefully than I did) :)

I am writing this down now. It has raspberries in it. I can actually see the raspberries. I am very summer-happy. And since it is 103 degrees F outside - I might as well embrace the season in my kitchen.

"Ultimate" sounds like the perfect way to describe this cake! In my world, any Ultimate Summer Dessert should also include ice cream. So if you top this cake with a scoop of ice cream, I'd be in summer dessert heaven!